Mangalore to witness ’Goodudeepa’ contest on October 21

TNN

Mangalore, 19 Oct 2014: Even as festival of lights is fast approaching, Namma Kudla, the organisers of ’Goodudeepa Pantha’, are gearing up to hold the 15 thedition of sky lantern making competition. The event will be held at Kudroli Sri Gokarnanatha Temple on October 21.

 

The competition will be held in three categories - traditional, modern and special models. The first and second place winners in each category will be awarded with gold coins while consolation prizes will be distributed to goodudeepa that grabs judges’ special attention.

 

Barring the first edition, when the event was held on the lawns of a private hotel here, the competition ever since has been held on the courtyards of the Kshetra on the eve of Deepavali, drawing competitors and spectators in large numbers.

 

 

Harish Karkera, director of Namma Kudla, local TV channel, said the art of making traditional sky lanterns is on the wane with people preferring to buy such sky lanterns off the shelves. "Through this competition, we want to keep alive the art of making gududeepa," he said.

 

The traditional category is specifically for those making sky lanterns using colour and or glass papers. Meanwhile, in modern category, contestants can use pulses, flex, and other materials. In the model category, contestants can give wings to their imagination making models of any subject they choose, he added.

 

Contestants should bring necessary items like electric bulbs, wires etc. and reach the venue before 4pm on October 21. Goodudeepas made by the contestants only will be considered for the competition, he said adding that an award ceremony will be held at the end of the competition.